What is a utility pole inspection?
A utility pole inspection is a safety assessment by a utility company or specialized contractor to ensure the utility pole is safe, reliable and structurally sound.
What are the different types of utility poles?
There are several types of utility poles, including:
- Wood – Wooden utility poles are common in rural or residential areas because they are effective and easy to replace, but they often suffer from cracks, holes, rot, decay, insect damage, and weathering, according to OSHA.
- Steel – Steel utility poles are common in urban and industrial settings that require high-voltage output because they are strong and durable, fire-resistant and weather-resistant, although they are heavier and less cost-effective than wooden poles.
- Concrete – Concrete utility poles are best suited for areas that experience more severe weather, such as coastal regions or windy cities because they are highly durable and weather-resistant, although they are heavy and more difficult to install.
- Fiberglass – Fiberglass utility poles are effective in extreme weather areas or for specific applications because they are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and non-conductive, but they are more expensive and weaker than some other materials.
- Composite – Composite utility poles, which are made of a blend of materials such as fiberglass or plastic, are often used in coastal or remote areas because they are lightweight, durable, and corrosion-resistant, although they are more expensive than wooden and other poles.
- Tapered – Tapered poles, which are made from wood, concrete, or steel, are commonly used in high-voltage lines and in areas that experienced extreme with their conical shape that provides greater strength and stability, but they are more expensive and more difficult to manufacture.
How are utility poles inspected?
A utility pole inspection involves several steps, including:
- Preparation – The first step in a utility pole inspection is to obtain the required permits (especially if testing involves excavation) and gather the necessary equipment.
- Visual inspection – The inspection begins with a visual examination, during which the inspector looks for obvious signs of damage, decay, infestation, or encroaching vegetation.
- Probe testing – During probe testing, the inspector will look at the utility pole’s structural integrity by gently probing areas that appear weak or decayed.
- Sound testing – When performing a sound test, the inspector taps the surface of the pole with a sounder or hammer to check for changes in resonance or pitch.
- Bore Testing – To conduct a bore test, the inspector will drill small holes into specific areas of the utility pole in order to collect core samples for analysis.
- Excavation – If there is obvious surface damage, excavation may be necessary to evaluate the hardware, foundation, and soil conditions.
- Chip & scrape testing – Using a scraping tool or chisel, the inspector will remove surface layers of wood, paint, or other materials to check for signs of rot, decay, or insect infestation.
The keys to an effective and successful utility pole inspection are: (1) proper identification of damage; (2) an estimate of the pole’s remaining life and giving it a pass or fail grade; and (3) application of any necessary treatment.
Why are utility pole inspections important?
Utility pole inspections are important because they allow utility companies to identify when maintenance and repairs are needed, which is essential to ensuring the safety of the public and utility workers as well as the reliability of the services that the poles enable the utility companies to provide.
What are the laws regarding utility pole inspections?
Utility companies have a legal responsibility to maintain, inspect, and repair their equipment in order to protect the public.
In Schultz v. Consumers Power Company, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the an electrical utility company “that maintains and employs energized power lines . . . has an obligation to reasonably inspect and repair wires and other instrumentalities in order to discover and remedy hazards and defects . . . [and] to protect the public from danger. . . . Electric companies must exercise ordinary care to guarantee that equipment is kept in a reasonably safe condition.”
In Levi v. Southwest Louisiana Electric Membership Cooperative, the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that “a power company has an obligation to make reasonable inspections of wires and other instrumentalities in order to discover and remedy hazards and defects.”
The laws regarding inspections center around two factors: (1) frequency; and (2) timing.
Frequency of Inspections
The frequency of utility pole inspections depends on the circumstances:
- The frequency of inspections depends on the circumstances, according to Andrews v Appalachian Electric Power Co.
- Inspections should be “reasonably frequent” and, if a utility company fails to comply, knowledge of a dangerous or defective condition will be imputed to the utility, according to Couch v Pac Gas & Electric Company.
- In Olivedell Planting Co v Town of Lake Providence, the Supreme Court of Louisiana held that the “reasonableness” of the inspection depends on both the condition of the utility pole as well as “on the nature of the danger to be feared.”
Timing of Inspections
The timing of utility pole and power line inspections also depends on the circumstances:
- In Roberts v. Pacific Gas & Electric Company, a tree fell and pulled down a wire, which remained on the ground for two and a half months, partially blocking the roadway. The court ruled that the company should have known about the defect due to the extended time the wire was down, creating a presumption of negligence for failing to inspect.
- Conversely, in Weissert v. Escanaba, the court ruled in favor of the utility company. After a storm caused a line to fall, the company had been inspecting the area regularly. The court determined the line could not have been down for more than 8-10 hours and the storm wasn’t severe enough to require further inspection. The utility company acted promptly to fix the issue once it was reported, and their inspection practices were deemed reasonable.
Who is responsible for utility pole inspections?
Electric utility companies are responsible for utility pole inspections. Utility companies are required by law to regularly inspect, maintain, and repair utility poles to ensure their safety, reliability, and structural soundness, including checking for wear and tear, insect infestation, weather damage, and other potential dangers.
Rule 214 of the National Electric Safety Code requires utility companies to inspect their “equipment” which includes utility poles “at such intervals as experience has shown to be necessary.” The rule also states that equipment such as utility poles with “recorded defects that could reasonably be expected to endanger life or property shall be promptly repaired, disconnected or isolated.”
The Michigan Supreme Court in Schultz v. Consumers Power Company, has ruled that the an electrical utility company “that maintains and employs energized power lines . . . has an obligation to reasonably inspect and repair wires and other instrumentalities [such as utility poles] in order to discover and remedy hazards and defects . . . [and] to protect the public from danger. . . . Electric companies must exercise ordinary care to guarantee that equipment is kept in a reasonably safe condition.”
Similarly, the Louisiana Supreme Court in Levi v. Southwest Louisiana Electric Membership Cooperative ruled that “a power company has an obligation to make reasonable inspections of wires and other instrumentalities [such as utility poles] in order to discover and remedy hazards and defects.”
If a pole is found to be defective, and it causes damage, harm, or death, the power company can be held liable for negligence if they failed to meet their inspection obligations.
What happens if a utility pole fails inspection and causes an electrical injury or death?
If a utility pole fails inspection and someone is hurt or killed, the utility company could face legal and other serious consequences, including:
Personal injury lawsuit – If you were seriously injured because a power company was negligent in failing to repair a pole that failed inspection, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Wrongful death lawsuit – If you lost a family member because a utility company was negligent in failing to remedy a utility pole that failed inspection, you and other surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit for the loss of your family member’s companionship and financial support, in addition to funeral and burial expenses.
Penalties – If someone is hurt or killed because of the utility company’s negligence, gross negligence, or recklessness, it could face civil or criminal liability, as well as fines or sanctions from regulatory agencies such as OSHA or local utility commissions.
